News & Opinion | Exclusive
A week ago from today, many of our friends and families huddled at home, bars, and workspaces, sad and in disbelief that Donald Trump was announced as the president of the United States in the 2024 election. Some took to the internet to express their concerns and fears, while others shared their worries and grievances privately.
Due to Trump's stance and policy priorities, Trump's election as president can significantly impact the LGBTQ+ community. Positive support from a president often includes advocating for non-discrimination protections, healthcare access, and education on LGBTQ+ rights, helping to foster a more inclusive society.
On the other hand, limited support may challenge protections or restrict rights, which can create uncertainty and potentially encourage activism within the community.
Change is a journey that benefits from every voice, action, act of kindness, and commitment to progress. Everyone’s efforts contribute to a vision for a better future, even when challenges arise. Meaningful change often unfolds over time and through a sustained commitment to building together for not just verbal change but a call to action.
Yes, we may be facing some setbacks, but each effort to create a better solution brings us closer to a coalition for a just and compassionate country.
For your future forward, here is how you can prepare for a Trump Presidency:
Stay Engaged with Your Local Politicians
Attend Town Halls
Check On Your State's LGBTQ+ Discrimination Protections
Review Your Healthcare Policies
Update Legal Documents
Remember Progress Takes Time & Empower Each Other to Look Forward with Hope
Stay Engaged with Your Local Politicians
Get acquainted with your local politicians for community engagements and ways to support the fight for continued equality. Understanding who represents you on local, state, and national levels can be crucial to making informed decisions.
Once you've gathered information on your local leaders and laws, consider the next steps to help support LGBTQ+ rights like joining or volunteering with LGBTQ+ advocacy groups working on the issues most relevant to you. Use your knowledge of candidates and local laws to make voting decisions that best support your interests. Continue following your representatives’ actions, policy updates, and community issues even after the election, and engage when necessary to protect or advance LGBTQ+ rights.
Attend Town Halls
Attend your local town hall meetings. These events offer direct access to your representatives, providing an opportunity to ask questions and hear their stances firsthand. Look for more opportunities to engage your leaders in discussions about policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community.
Check On Your State's LGBTQ+ Discrimination Protections
Verify if your city or state has protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations. Some states lack these protections, and local ordinances might vary or provide extra protection.
Review Your Healthcare Policies
Gayes, be sure to check whether your local jurisdiction has inclusive health policies and consider how proposed national healthcare changes might impact these rights. Health access for LGBTQ+ individuals can be complex due to variations in coverage for gender-affirming care, HIV treatment, and other related healthcare needs. If any changes come up, you want to have a gameplan.
Update Legal Documents
For our trans brothers and sisters this is important! Update all legal documents for your name change, including your passport, birth certificate, Social Security, and government-issued ID. Ensure that your updated personal information is also on file with your employer.
According to Philadelphia law firm Jerner & Palmer, which specializes in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender legal issues, states control many government documents, such as birth certificates and driver's licenses, but a new president won't affect those.
However, gender designations on federal documents such as passports, immigration papers and Social Security accounts, Jerner says passports are the biggest concern because State Department rules could be changed relatively easily under a new administration.
Remember Progress Takes Time & Empower Each Other to Look Forward with Hope
Now is the time to lift each other, support those around you, engage in meaningful discussions, and keep advocating for the issues that matter. Together, we can keep the momentum of change alive.
When it comes to shaping our future, hope and optimism are powerful allies. Embrace each step forward, knowing that positive change from working together, though sometimes gradual, is possible with collective dedication.
Each election is a reminder of the importance of continuing to advocate for equal rights and support within all aspects of government and society. The 2024 Presidential election was only the beginning of the fight forward, we still have future elections to show up for. The voter demographics of 2024 revealed significant patterns across age, race, gender, and political alignment, which are shaping race in powerful ways.
As Madam Vice President Kamala Harris said in her concession speech, "When we fight, we win. Sometimes the fight takes a while. That does not mean we will not win. Do not ever give up. Do not ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have the power.”
“Be encouraged beautiful people.” - Jaye Meggs